Refrigeration Device Comprising a Water Filter

ABSTRACT

Refrigeration device comprising a water filter, which is housed in a central cavity of a coil condenser.

The present invention relates to a refrigeration device comprising awater filter and a coil condenser.

Since water dispensers and automatic ice makers have become less andless expensive and more and more common, domestic refrigerators areincreasingly being equipped with water filters in order to filter thewater for the water dispenser and the automatic ice maker. Such a waterfilter is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,177 B2.

Coil condensers are built into more and more refrigeration devices to beable, among other things, to situate the condenser within the machinecompartment. In the case of a coil condenser, the condenser has anessentially helical form and occupies a considerable volume in the spacewhere it is located. Such a coil condenser is known from U.S. Pat. No.5,592,829.

As a result of the increasing number of additional components built intorefrigeration devices, the available space for the individual componentsis becoming more and more restricted.

Until now, the water filter was usually located in the cold compartmentof the devices, and in the base of the device in some cases. Location inthe base gives the disadvantage that the base has to be increased inheight, which reduces the interior space. However, building it into theinterior space results in the problem that the usable volume in theinterior space is reduced.

One object of the present invention is to arrange the water filter suchthat better use is made of the available space.

According to the invention this is achieved by housing the water filterin a central cavity of a coil condenser.

As until now there are usually no components in the central cavities ofrefrigeration device coil condensers, these can be used for housing thewater filters.

By this means a refrigeration device can be equipped with a water filterwithout the need to reduce the interior space or its usable volume.Housing the water filter in the central cavity of the coil condenserprevents an air stream created by a fan from circumventing the condenserby flowing through the central cavity. Blocking the central cavitythereby becomes redundant.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the water filter issurrounded by a sleeve. This serves to protect the water filter from theheat radiated from the coil condenser.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is advantageous for thesleeve to have surfaces that reflect radiant heat. Mirror-like surfaces,such as those of metallic materials, are particularly suitable. Thisreduces the exchange of heat between the coil condenser and the waterfilter.

For this it is appropriate if the water filter includes a filter baseand a replaceable filter cartridge installable in said filter base. Thisenables replacement of the filter cartridge to be performed relativelysimply.

It is advantageous if the filter base is located adjacent to a firstaxial end of the central cavity and the filter cartridge can be insertedinto the cavity from the other axial end. This makes particularlyeffective use of the available space in the central cavity.

It is advantageous for the filter base to be located on the axis outsidethe cavity. This enables the filter base to be mounted relatively simplyin the refrigeration device.

Alternatively a fan motor can be brought into the cavity and the filterbase located in the cavity adjacent to the fan motor. If a fan motor isincluded in the central cavity, the water filter can then be housed inthe remaining part of the cavity. The filter base of the water filtercan then be mounted adjacent to the fan motor.

In another embodiment of the invention, a drip pan is arranged at leastunder the filter base 2. This has the effect that when the water filteris replaced, any escaping water is caught in the drip pan and does notreach the interior of the refrigeration device.

The idea of the invention also provides for the ability to insert thefilter cartridge into the cavity through an opening formed in anexterior wall of the housing of the refrigeration device. This gives theuser easy access to the water filter and enables unproblematicreplacement of the filter cartridge. It is then not necessary to openthe device when replacing the water filter.

It can also be advantageous to arrange the opening on the front side ofthe housing. If, for example, the refrigeration device is built into afitted kitchen or is positioned against a wall, the water filter can bereplaced without the need to move the refrigeration device.

In a further embodiment of the invention the cartridge includes awater-tight capsule containing filter material and a handle sectionattached to the capsule. The filter cartridge is fixed to the handlesection removably or non-removably by screwing, latching, adhesive orwelding. Since the handle can serve as an extension it makes it possibleto mount the filter in places that are otherwise difficult to access.For the design of the filter handle there are many possibilities, suchas in terms of shape and color. This enables the production of manyfilter handles that are clearly different in their appearance. Thefilter handle can enclose the filter cartridge entirely, partially ornot at all. Simply by replacing the filter handle filter cartridges canbe distinguished easily.

Finally the capsule can be entirely contained in the housing in such away that it is protected and not visible to the user; the handle sectionnevertheless enables the filter cartridge to be handled easily.

Further features and advantages of the invention arise from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theaccompanying figures.

These show:

FIG. 1 a sectional diagram of a refrigeration device;

FIG. 2 a sectional view of a water filter;

FIG. 3 a longitudinal view through a water filter arranged according tothe invention;

FIG. 4 a perspective view of a partially cut section of a handle sectionembodied as in the first preferred embodiment, and an end section of acapsule;

FIG. 5 a longitudinal view through a second arrangement of the waterfilter;

FIG. 6 a longitudinal view through a third arrangement of the waterfilter; and

FIG. 7 a plan view of a handle section constructed as in a secondpreferred embodiment.

The refrigeration device shown schematically in FIG. 1 has a type ofhousing 11 known per se with a thermally insulated interior space 25 andbelow the interior space 25 a device base 18 in which a water filter 1is housed. The device base 18 contains further components such as acompressor and a condenser which are known per se and are not shownhere.

The water filter 1 is connected to the process water network of abuilding by means of a supply line 29 and feeds an automatic ice maker26 housed in the interior space 25, and a dispenser 27 for cooleddrinking water that is housed in a recess in the door 30.

Since valves that are automatically controlled by the water requirementof the ice maker 26 or the dispenser 27 are known per se they areomitted from the drawing.

FIG. 2 shows a section through the water filter 1 and its means offixing in the device base 18 according to a first embodiment. The meansof fixing includes a screw-type or bayonet-type base 2 with a radiallyoriented inlet 14 and an axially oriented outlet 15. A filter cartridge3 screwed or latched in the base 2 has a cup-shaped capsule 4 that isequipped adjacent to its open side with an external thread or bayonetribs that operate in conjunction with the base 2. Along the longitudinalaxis of the cup is a tube 31 pierced by a number of holes, of which tubea downstream end 35 at the base 2 is a tight fit around the outlet 15.

Inside the capsule 4 a hollow cylindrical filter body 34 surrounds thetube 31.

FIG. 3 shows schematically the position of the water filter 1. Thegreater part of the water filter 1 is housed in a central cavity 7 of acoil condenser 6. The filter base 2 is disposed axially external to thecentral cavity 7. With this arrangement it is appropriate to provide anevaporation tray 13 at least under the filter base 2. By this means,water that may come out of the filter base 2 when the filter cartridge 3is replaced is caught so that it does not drip on to the coil condenser6.

Between the water filter 1 and the coil condenser 6 there is a sleeve 8.This sleeve 8 extends over the greater part of the length of the waterfilter 1. By this means radiant heat of the coil condenser 6 isreflected. A fan not shown here creates a flow of air through the coilcondenser 6. Between the sleeve 8 and the handle section 5 there is afirst opening 19 through which air can flow into the region between thewater filter 1 and the sleeve 8. Between the sleeve 8 and the filterbase 2 there is a second opening 20 through which air can flow out ofthe region between the water filter 1 and the sleeve 8. Air within thesleeve 8 is thus constantly exchanged, so that air that may be warmeddespite the shielding by the sleeve 8 is immediately removed. In thismanner the water filter 1 is kept cool. Since the water that flowsthrough the water filter is later cooled as drinking water or frozeninto ice cubes, it is appropriate that it should not be warmedunnecessarily. The filter cartridge 3 has here a handle section 5attached to the capsule 4.

FIG. 4 shows the handle section 5 in a preferred embodiment with an endsection of the capsule 4 in a partial perspective view. The handlesection 5 that is formed as a single piece of plastic has a cup- ordish-shaped section 21 that encloses the opposite end of the capsule 4to the base 2. By this means a relatively large contact area is achievedthat offers various possibilities for joining such as pressing, use ofadhesive, welding or latching. From a base surface of the cup- ordish-shaped section there projects a rib 22 that a user can convenientlygrasp and rotate in order to remove the filter cartridge 3 without theassistance of a tool.

FIG. 5 shows a second arrangement of the water filter 1 according to theinvention within the housing 11 of a refrigerator. Water filter 1, fanmotor 10 and coil condenser 6 are arranged adjacent to an opening 12 inthe housing 11. They are arranged in such a way that the handle section5 faces the housing opening 12. The cup-shaped section 21 ends flushwith the housing 11. This avoids the user trapping fingers between thehandle section 5 and the edge of the opening 12 when removing the filtercartridge 3. The rib 22 protrudes here beyond the housing 11 and sofacilitates accessing the rib 22.

Unlike the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the filter base 2 is here withinthe central cavity 7 of the coil condenser 6. Additionally there is alsoa fan motor 10 for a fan within the central cavity 7 of the coilcondenser 6. Here the fan motor 10 and the water filter 1 are arrangedat axially opposite ends of the central cavity 7. Fan motor 10 andfilter base 2 are adjacent to each other and consequently the filterbase 2 and the fan motor 10 can be affixed next to each other or on acommon carrier (not shown).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has a drip pan 9. This is disposed belowthe water filter 1 between sleeve 8 and coil condenser 6. It extendsaxially from the opening 12 in the housing 11 as far as beneath thefilter base 2. Additionally an evaporation tray 13 is provided that ishere disposed below a drip edge 23 of the drip pan 9. The provision ofthe drip pan 9 prevents water that may come out when the filtercartridge 3 is changed from reaching the interior of the refrigerationdevice. Water that comes out when the filter cartridge 3 is changed iscaught in the drip pan 9 and led to the evaporation tray 13.

Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the cup-shaped section 21 of thehandle section 5 is here recessed in the housing 11. In order to avoidthe user trapping fingers between the handle section 5 and the edge ofthe opening 12 when removing the filter cartridge 3, the handle sectionis here provided with a ring-shaped ridge 16 that surrounds the rib 22.The upper edges of the ridge 16 and rib 22 are flush with the housing11.

FIG. 7 shows the front face of the handle section 5 as in FIG. 6 in planview. Through the provision of two recessed essentially semi-circularfinger hollows 17, the fingers of a user are within a ring-shaped ridge24 when changing the filter cartridge. This avoids the possibility thatthe fingers can become trapped between the handle section 5 and thehousing 11. Between the finger hollows 17 there is a ridge 22 that theuser can grasp and rotate.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A refrigeration device comprising: a water filter;and a coil condenser having a central cavity; the water filter beinglocated in the central cavity of the coil condenser.
 15. Therefrigeration device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the water filter issurrounded by a sleeve.
 16. The refrigeration device as claimed in claim15, wherein the sleeve has surfaces that reflect radiated heat.
 17. Therefrigeration device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the water filterincludes a filter base and a filter cartridge; the filter cartridgebeing replaceably installable in the filter base.
 18. The refrigerationdevice as claimed in claim 17, wherein the filter base is disposedadjacent to a first axial end of the central cavity and the filtercartridge is insertable into the cavity from the other axial end. 19.The refrigeration device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the filter baseis disposed axially externally to the central cavity.
 20. Therefrigeration device as claimed in claim 17 further including a fanmotor; the fan motor being housed in the central cavity and the filterbase being disposed in the central cavity adjacent to the fan motor. 21.The refrigeration device as claimed in claim 17 further including a drippan; the a drip pan being disposed at least beneath the filter base. 22.The refrigeration device as claimed in claim 14 further including ahousing having an external wall; an opening formed in the external wall;the filter cartridge being insertable into the central cavity throughthe opening in the external wall of the housing.
 23. The refrigerationdevice as claimed in claim 22, wherein the opening is disposed in thefront side of the housing.
 24. The refrigeration device as claimed inclaim 17 further including a handle section; the filter cartridgeincluding a water-tight capsule in which filter material is contained;and the handle section being attached to the water-tight capsule. 25.The refrigeration device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the water-tightcapsule is entirely contained in the housing.